Capcom tries to kill used video game sales with the one-save game

[Leo_A]

EA hasn't released any games "with a single use DLC code that's required to input before starting a new game" that requires you to be logged into PSN or XBL in order to start a new game.

They're certainly crippling the single player experiences in their games (Such as the limited selection of golf courses in their most recent golf game, with most being DLC add-ons), but they haven't done that. Their games can still be played on offline condoles and you can still start new games while offline.

[Oobgarm]

given than an internet connection is required to even boot the damn thing.

Please, explain.

[binici]

Interesting...
There are multiple save slots though, right? I don't mind playing once through and perhaps another time if there is a reason to.

[Darko]

I'm pretty sure SMT Devil Survivor is already like this. You can't erase saved games/restart as far as I know.

Also, there's no way that a company can force people to go online (unless you're playing an online only game). I think we'll see more single use online play activation codes like in Homefront. Not that you missed anything if you skipped the multiplayer in Homefront...

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Interesting...
There are multiple save slots though, right? I don't mind playing once through and perhaps another time if there is a reason to.

From everything that I've been able to gather on the subject (which is many many gaming news blogs sensationally reporting on the issue with no clear explanation of how it relates to/affects the actual gameplay)

It appears that the un-erasable save file will track things like unlocked levels, unlocked weapons, unlocked extras, high scores, etc.

So, we can assume that when you boot the cartridge up for the first time there will be a few levels available to select from, and many that are "locked". Once any player has earned the right to play in those levels they will permanently remain unlocked.

Since Mercenaries is NOT a traditional story-driven Resident Evil game (it's essentially the multiplayer game from Resident Evil 5) I'm not certain why anybody would WANT to go back and reset the levels/items/extras/high scores that had previously been locked.

There is no evidence available that new players will not be able to start from the starting point of the game and play through the levels in the appropriate sequential order that they were intended.

[Mayhem]

From what I've read since yesterday, it appears my previous comments holds true; there is only one save file on the cartridge.

[TonyTheTiger]

I still think not being able to clear data like that is just dumb regardless of whether there are "sinister" motives or innocent oversights. Why not offer the option? What's the benefit there?

I suppose there can be some effects that upon unlocking don't necessarily need to be erasable. The New Game + option in Chrono Trigger springs to mind. But in the case of significant unlockable content in the ballpark of stages/scores/characters/trophies/awards/stickers/etc., having the option to start from square one would still be nice to have.

I mean, I've never taken advantage of the "clear all data" in Star Fox 64 but I can at least appreciate somebody wanting to re-acquire all the medals. Even though none of the unlocks preclude anybody from experiencing the full gamut of content the game offers, why not?

I actually have taken advantage of it in Mario Kart 64 once when I went back to get golds in everything during a lazy summer weekend not too long ago. So even if the lack of an erase feature doesn't exactly stop people from accessing all the content later on, having mere access to that content, while forever losing access to the act of earning the reward again, is still a black mark. This becomes especially true when the game is particularly reward driven.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

A potential benefit to a locked-down save file would be in the case of online play/matchmaking to prevent expert users from coming in to a deathmatch scenario as a "level 1" and throwing off the balance of a skill based match.

I'm sure we've all experienced that at some point in our online competitive gaming lives .... FAR more experienced players hiding behind the guise of a beginner level stat character.

Of course, that benefit could also work in reverse if you buy a used game with a high-level character.

I'm still holding out for an actual DP forum member to get their hands on the game and give the world a detailed explanation of how this save file nonsense impacts every aspect of the game.

[j_factor]

A potential benefit to a locked-down save file would be in the case of online play/matchmaking to prevent expert users from coming in to a deathmatch scenario as a "level 1" and throwing off the balance of a skill based match.

This game has a deathmatch mode? I thought it was only co-op.

Regardless, from what I gather this is essentially a throw-away release. It's not really a major game. As has been mentioned, other games have non-resettable saves, mostly games that are not too important. This is in the same category. I don't see how it's a big deal for this particular game, how it got attention beforehand, or what it has to do with used games.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

This game has a deathmatch mode? I thought it was only co-op.

Regardless, from what I gather this is essentially a throw-away release. It's not really a major game. As has been mentioned, other games have non-resettable saves, mostly games that are not too important. This is in the same category. I don't see how it's a big deal for this particular game, how it got attention beforehand, or what it has to do with used games.

Mercs in RE5 on PS3/360 had deathmatch in addition to team death match (co-op).

Mercs on iOS has deathmatch in addition to team death match (co-op).

I assume that we'll see the same format in this one. It's just an arcade type game ... it's not like a locked-down save in Resident Evil 1,2,3,Code Veronica,4 or 5 that won't allow you to go through the adventure again a second, third or fourth time.

[Swamperon]

Now Aus EB are refusing to sell it within stores!

http://www.vooks.net/story-20260-EB-...e-debacle.html

No word on if this is temporary or permanent... Imagine if NA EB did the same. Will be interesting to see if other retailers follow suit.

[Dobie]

Under the laws of the United States as well as individual states relating to unfair competition, you can't blackball a retailer for engaging in legal conduct. As such, even if publishers and developers felt the desire to cut Gamestop off, they couldn't stop distributors from selling to them.

Thanks for putting up with an idiotic question. I thought it might have to do with anti-competitive laws. Still, don't big retailers get games at reduced prices equal to or less than a distributor? So if GS bought their games through a distro, like a mom n' pop would, their margins would be thinner.

Of course, ultimately the end game in all of this is digital distribution, assuming broadband caps don't interfere. I'm thinking the writing is on the wall for used game purchases and Gamestop as well.

[kedawa]

This will be a good excuse to pirate once the game is out of print, not that anyone needs an excuse.

[Gameguy]

Now Aus EB are refusing to sell it within stores!

http://www.vooks.net/story-20260-EB-...e-debacle.html

No word on if this is temporary or permanent... Imagine if NA EB did the same. Will be interesting to see if other retailers follow suit.

Then Capcom's plan is already working. The best way to prevent used copies from being sold is to make less used copies available for sale, the best way to do this is to prevent people from having copies of the game that they could sell used. The best way to do this is to prevent people from buying new copies of the game, this plan of theirs seems perfect as less people will be buying new copies of this game.

In a few years they'll get their system perfected to eliminate all used copies, they'll make new games but never offer them for sale at all. It's genius!

[heybtbm]

Then Capcom's plan is already working

For the rest of us who deal in reality...http://kotaku.com/5816145/capcom-den...-forever-saves

[Bojay1997]

For the rest of us who deal in reality...http://kotaku.com/5816145/capcom-den...-forever-saves

But that article provides no justification for why they made that "design" decision or how it improves the game in any way. There is absolutely no technical reason why they couldn't have allowed players to create multiple profiles/save files or delete a save file if they wanted to start the game fresh again and earn the unlocks of skills and characters a second time.

[heybtbm]

But that article provides no justification for why they made that "design" decision or how it improves the game in any way. There is absolutely no technical reason why they couldn't have allowed players to create multiple profiles/save files or delete a save file if they wanted to start the game fresh again and earn the unlocks of skills and characters a second time.

Why does Capcom need to justify anything? If you've done nothing wrong, what else is there to say? Some silly malcontents assume the worst and Capcom is suppose to respond with detailed explanations? I'm not even sure why I'm suddenly defending this. I guess I just can't stand blind stupidity (not directed at Bojay).

Besides, who knows what goes on in their minds when they're developing these things. Like I mentioned earlier, these are the same people who thought Dead Rising's sadistic save system improved the game by "adding a sense of urgency".

[Kitsune Sniper]

There was no reason for them to remove the game clear option. NONE.

I don't believe it had anything to do with used game sales. I just think they're assholes.

[Az]

It appears that the un-erasable save file will track things like unlocked levels, unlocked weapons, unlocked extras, high scores, etc.

So, we can assume that when you boot the cartridge up for the first time there will be a few levels available to select from, and many that are "locked". Once any player has earned the right to play in those levels they will permanently remain unlocked.

This comment isn't directed to anyone's thoughts so far, but I must say that if a game isn't worth playing after everything has been unlocked (yeech, I hate that word) then it wasn't much of a game to start with.

Does the 3DS have some type of universal 360-like achievement system? If it doesn't, then I don't see what the issue would be. It's not like you are prevented from still jumping through the hoops that require the bonus content to be unlocked, and nobody will ever see your e-penis gamerscore for comparison. I personally am not so sensitive that I would be offended if I finished the game without using a health spray but that perk had already been saved from the previous owner.

If you were to buy it used, at worst someone has filled the high score table up with 4th grade level dirty words, and at best you wouldn't have to slog through a bunch of inane shit to play the extra levels/characters/whatever. I can just see a steaming mad customer marching into Gamestop, bouncing the cart off the clerk's head, shouting "You mean everything is already unlocked?!? I demand a refund!"

[Bojay1997]

Why does Capcom need to justify anything? If you've done nothing wrong, what else is there to say? Some silly malcontents assume the worst and Capcom is suppose to respond with detailed explanations? I'm not even sure why I'm suddenly defending this. I guess I just can't stand blind stupidity (not directed at Bojay).

Besides, who knows what goes on in their minds when they're developing these things. Like I mentioned earlier, these are the same people who thought Dead Rising's sadistic save system improved the game by "adding a sense of urgency".

Well, they're a consumer products company that is dependent on the general public buying their games, so while they don't have to justify anything, they also take a huge risk by failing to get out in front of this wave of negative publicity and providing a plausible explanation for their "design" choice. Personally, I have a co-worker and two good friends, one who had it pre-ordered at Best Buy and the other two at Gamestop and they all refused to pick it up today after hearing the news about the save files. I'm sure they weren't alone. I know I certainly wouldn't pay full price for it. It will be interesting to see what the sales numbers look like given that stores such as Gamestop are notifying buyers that they won't accept it as a trade-in.